FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[johnnie_esq]

Stanc-- bring your question over to the most recent page of that board.  There are a number of Johnnies who are very willing to answer it there.  That will allow PC to clear this thread up.

[DuffMan]

Watchman,

We've got to somehow replace Dumo and Good and Hawn.  That's my main worry.

[DuffMan]

Somebody posted a question about SJU on the General Football board.  Should we answer it here, answer it there, or just wait for Pat to move it here?

I will wait until it comes here.

[tmerton]

I am interested in views of St. John's, both football wise and academically.  And who's your guess as the heir apparent to Gagliardi?

I'm obviously new to the board and also don't live in the area, or otherwise I'd know the answers - right?  Anyway, thanks for any responses.

Oh, yeah, how on earth do you keep track of discussions with everything in one thread?

[tmerton]

Okay - done.  But I really do not understand how you keep track of discussions and topics with everything combined into a single thread.

Clear up as need be.

[johnnie_esq]

I'll answer your second part here:

We, as a collective MIAC whole, tend to have A LOT of discussions, so people who post there generally have posted there quite a bit and keep up with the conversation.    As an aside-- is all of it directly relevant to football?  No, probably not; but there have been some great friendships coming out of that board that cross the conference rivalries and standings.

You're certainly welcome to join into the fun and fray-- and especially, welcome to the board in general!

[Touchdown Tommy]

Stanc,

Leading candidates include:
1. Dave Nelson (Minnetonka)
2. Gary Fasching (SJU)
3. Mike Grant (Eden Prairie)
4. Jim Gagliardi (SJU, however unfortunate this may be)
5. Frank Rickard (8th grade Cathedral)

[tmerton]

My son is a football player and is looking at SJU, so I would also be interested in what people have to say about the experience of playing and going to school at SJU.

[johnnie_esq]

Academically, SJU is a small men's national liberal arts college with a co-curricular education with the College of St. Benedict.  That, in essence, makes it a co-ed institution, but has the benefit and burden of two separate administrations.  SJU is your typical Minnesota liberal arts college, with an an academic reputation generally similar to that of St. Olaf and Gustavus.  Like those two schools, SJU has a strong study abroad program and generally sends a good number of its alumni onto some graduate program.  On this board alone you'll find doctors, lawyers, chemists and even scientists who are proud to call themselves Johnnies (and a few more that are proud not to be Johnnies!).  It's a great place that I found myself at, and am really glad I did.

It's a unique place, with a strong connection to a benedictine monastery founded in 1858 and a rural setting, though close enough to be a part of the Twin Cities (one hour car ride away).  As far as the value of the education, I believe you get out what you want, if you seek it out-- SJU has no shortage of great teachers.

A Saturday in Collegeville during football season is a great illustration as to what SJU is like.  Approximately 8,000 fans gather together to enjoy Collegeville-- slow down a little bit, tailgate with friends, let the kids run up and down the hill, take a walk in the woods or out to the lake, and watch a football game the way it was meant to be played: by students in an open-air stadium with nature creeping in.  And that's just a spectator's view.  Being a part of the 200 players in the sea of red would yield something even more extraordinary, I'm sure.

Gags' heir apparent?  In my opinion it'll be his assistant Gary Fasching.  He's been the recruiting guru and the chief architect of the SJU defense for some time, and that was after taking a small St. Cloud private high school to win back-to-back state championships.  Considering they hadn't been that successful for 20 years before that, or since he left, he knows how to build a team, and does it generally along the same lines as Gagliardi had done it.

Have you read the Sweet Season?

[johnnie_esq]

TT-- Dave Nelson's son just finished his frosh year in Cobberland.  I'd be surprised if he were above Grant.

[DuffMan]

Well, Esq is a little bit quicker than I, I see, but:

Stanc,
Welcome to the board.  Since you're posing the question, I'd assume that you're either a prospect or a prospect's parent/relative.  I'm a former SJU student/athlete from the not-too-distant past (class of '03) so feel free to ask me what you need to know (you can private message me if you want).

My views may be through red-colored glasses, but SJU is a gret school both academically and football-wise.  Obviously, the focus of D# athletics is on school first, and I would highly recommend SJU in that sense.  It's a top-notch, liberal arts school.  They have very good science related studies.  I can't shed too much light on the business side of the majors.  That being said, it is a liberal arts school, so if you're focus is engineering or something, you'd be better off looking elsewhere.  But, an SJU education is very solid (as are all MIAC schools - except Augsburg ).  Right here on the board, there are several alums who are lawyers, a county attorney, a medical student, and a pharmaceutical chemist.

On the football side, it's hard to argue with the success that SJU has had in the past 50 or so years.  I was very fortunate to be a part of it.  John Gagliardi is a fantastic coach.  He realizes that football is just a game, but at the same time, is a fierce competitor who pushes his players and expects nothing less than perfection.  He is a great motivator and also happens to be hilarious.  Somehow, a nearly 80 year old man finds a way to relate to college kids very well.

My thoughts on a replacement coach: Gary Fasching - defensive coach at SJU, Mike Grant - head coach at Eden Prairie High School, Jim Gagliardi - John's son and offensive coordinator at SJU.  There are a few more on my list, but that is who I would see as front- runnners.

Well, I've said plenty.  If you want more, like I said, PM me.  Also, my e-mail is in my profile.  Feel free to either e-mail any questions to me or have your son e-mail me.

[Touchdown Tommy]

Esq, 2 things

1. Yea agreed about Fasching.  He would be the favorite.  I just tossed a list together in no particular order.  Pretty sure Duffman would concur that Gary is a great guy and would be a terrific choice.

2. TDT knew about Jesse Nelson at Cord.  I would just like to make sure that UST doesn't get Dave, because he would turn that program around.  My sources tell me that he has quite a lucrative package in Minnetonka as far as housing, salary, etc.  Monks would have to open up their pocketbooks, perhaps direct some of that cash away from the new buildings (KR what do you think of all the new structures along the Sag??   )

[DuffMan]

1. Yea agreed about Fasching.  He would be the favorite.  I just tossed a list together in no particular order.  Pretty sure Duffman would concur that Gary is a great guy and would be a terrific choice.

I concur.

[DuffMan]

MR, get serious.  Isn't Bethel in Arden Hills, anyways?  Come on!

[MongolianWarrior]

Stanc--May I suggest a MIAC school that has girls, great academics, a great coach, and coming soon a new stadium?  This would be Gustavus.  Any more q's can be directed towards myself, Frank R, or Willy Wonka

TDT--Frank R is # 5 on your list...is this based on his record at Cathedral, or his love for all things alcohol?